Week 2 Day 3 (Identity, Weight, Used)

IDENTITY

"I believe one of God's purposes in this journey is to help us recapture both our identity and identification as His children..." - (page 44)

WEIGHT

On page 45, Beth talks about the fact that the "special foods" mentioned "involved fattening the girls up". "Esther and her coherts were under royal command to eat!"

"In ancient cultures and even American culture as recently as a century ago, thinness was associated with poverty. Not fitness and certainly not glamour." - (page 45)

USED

On page 46:

"... girls sent to the king one night at a time."

"... they returned to "another part of the harem" never to see him again unless "he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.""

"Describe some emotions you imagine the girls experienced as they collected in the second harem."

Beth used the words "used" and "rejected". I agree. I would also say they probably felt dirty, shame, and sadness.

"I thanked Him for being the kind of King who gives a woman dignity instead of taking it..." - Beth Moore

Beth wanted us to mention differences "between our King and Persia's king". She was having us do that in regards to specific Scriptures, but whether through any of those or other things that came to mind, I wanted to mention:

God makes us feel loved, not used.

He allows us to seek Him. He doesn't force us into relationship with Him.

When we choose Him, He accepts us all - He doesn't pick a favorite.

We are made clean through Christ, not dirty.

God treats us like royalty, not like trash.

God doesn't say, "Next!"

(If you are reading this in your email, you can click on the title at the top of this post and it will bring you to the seek Him Bible study blog where you are welcome to comment regarding this post and/or share things that stood out to you from week 2 day 3's lesson.)

Thanks!

Cari